Clamp



May 26, 1942. M. E. WETZLER CLAMP Filed Oct. 24, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 a 44x1? W'TZER MM flli'orhey May 26, 1942. M. E. WETZLER 2,284,314

CLAMP Filed Oct. 24, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 E l zi wenir.

Z fi/Axl'f WETZ 45 Patented May 26, 1 942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLAMP Max E. Wetzler, Long Island City, N. Y. Application October 24, 1940, Serial No. 362,605

9 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in clamps and more particularly has reference to a clamp especially adapted for use in holding parts of furniture and the like while they are being glued, and has for its object to provide a clamp of the indicated type which is simple in construction and efficient in operation.v The class of clamps referred to is characterized in that a flexible member as, for instance, a fabric band or tape, a steel band, a string, rope, cable,

or chain is slung around an article and is then.

tightened by means of the clamp. In order to avoid involved explanations or terms, in the following specification and in the claims only'the term band is used for designating said flexible member, it being understood however that this term as used in the specification 'and'claims is intended to apply to any kind of a flexible member adapted to be used in connection with the clamp according to my invention and forthe above indicated purposes.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a clamp forming one embodiment of my invention, the clamp being applied to a partly shown article.

Fig. 2 shows the clamping member of that clamp on an enlarged scale as a vertical crosssection along a broken line 2-2 in Fig. 3;

'Fig. 3 is a plan view of said clamping member;

Fig. 4 shows the loose wedge forming part of the attaching means, in a perspective view Fig. 5 is a front view of the thrust member forming part of said embodiment of myinvention;

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view of an alternative embodiment of this inventionin' which the width of the rollers shown in Figs. 1 and 5 is very much reduced and the resulting member is a grooved roll adapted to guide a rope, chain or cable;

Figs. 7 and 8 are side views of the rocking lever forming part of the clamp illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, the lever being, however, provided with a lining partly, or alternatively wholly, surrounding said lever; f

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another form of the clamping member, and

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side view, partly in section, of the member shown in Fig. 9, and illustrates an alternative arrangement intended to open the clamp'automatically.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view of a modification of the thrust member shown in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 1 the novel clamp is shown in operation on a table A or otherpiece of furniture upon the 5 periphery of which veneer is to be applied. This veneer is held and pressed against the table A by a band 3 of steel, canvas or any suitable material. The two ends of the band 3 are engaged by the clamp which is seated against the article being treated.

The clamp chiefly consists of three parts: A spindle 5 with a handle I; a thrust member 9 with the guide rolls or rollers H; and the-clamping member I3 with a clamping device exemplified by the rocking lever I5 and the wedge piece I'I.

The clamping member I3 is provided with a rectangular opening I9 and with a slot 2|. The opening I9 is adapted to receive said clamping device exemplified by the rocking lever I5 which is pivoted in that opening by means of a pin 23 extending across said opening and being located towards one outer side of the opening I9. The lever I5 has two arms which, however,; are not clearly noticeable because they are connected by a protruding curved portion 25 and by sidewalls 21 which form as a whole a hollow body. 'The shape and location of said lever I5 are such that the left-hand end 29 of the lever I5 leaves only -a small gap 3| between itself. and the contiguous wall of the member I3 whilst the other arm 33 leaves a gap 35 between itself and the adjacent wall of member I3. The curved portion 25 is designed to lead the band 3 from the gap 35 in a curve to the gap 3| as is clearly shown in Fig. 1.

The slot 2| is located in the opposite end of the member I3 and has diverging walls so that it contracts towards the lower side of said member. A loose wedge piece I! shown separately in Fig. 4 may be introduced into the slot 2| as is shown in Fig. 1, after the one end of the band 3 has been looped or folded around the wedge I'I. As soon as a pull is exerted on that end of band 3 in direction of arrow B, the wedge piece I1 is tightly pressed into the reduced portion of slot 2| so that the adjacent portions of the looped. end of the band 3 are firmly clamped tothis end of the clamping member I3.

Thesolid portion 31 of the clamping member I3 between the opening I 9 and the slot 2| is provided with a threaded bore 39 adapted to receive the spindle 5 so that the member I3 may ride thereon as will appear more fully hereinafter. An additional bore 4| is located adjacent to the bore 39 and is designed to receive and to slidably guide a rod 43 which will be described later.

The lower end of the spindle 5 is rotatably mounted inthe thrust member 9 and is provided fl a suitable surface which near its end with a small groove into which fits a set screw 44 whereby unintentional disconnection of the spindle from the thrust member 9 is prevented without interference with the relative rotation of said spindle 5. The member 9 is provided with brackets 45 between which the rollers II are rotatablymounted on suitable pins or axles 41. The two ends of the band 3 are passed each between one of the rollers II and he central portion of the jmember 9. V

In practice the-clamp isoperated as follows: If the one looped end of the band 3 has been attached by means of wedge II to the member I5 mounted in a narrow frame |3 by means of .a pin or axle 23* passing through an eccentrically displaced bore of the roll |5 Of course, the above described arrangement is only one additional embodiment of my invention and many alterations may be introduced without departing from the fundamental idea.

be attached to the clamping member other than the wedge Further the rollers I3 by well-known means IT in the tapered slot-2|.

' may in some cases be dispensed with and I3 and the band has been placed inoperative position as is shown in Fig. 1, the clamp is placed 1 against the article A as shown and by pulling the free end of band 3 i C, the band is tightened provisionally without any difiiculty. Then by turning the spindle 5 with the aid of handle I, the clamping member in the direction of arrow replaced by rigid guiding surfaces of appropriate curvature formingan integral part of the thrust member 9. 7

It has been found that where a steel band is used as the fiexible member, the friction be- -tween'this band and the round portion of the I3 which isin screw'threaded connection with said spindle 5 is gradually moved away from the thrust member 9 whereby tension is built up in the band 3. Hereby and through the friction developed between the band 3 and the curved surface of the portion of the lever I5, the

latter is automatically and positively swung in I the direction of arrow D whereby'the width of the gap 3| is reduced and thus the portion of band 3 passing-therethrough is against the adjacent wall of the opening I9. The more the spindle 5 is'tightened, the stronger will be the grip of the clamping means described.

In order to insurea particularly duick action and to prevent an undesired slippingof the band 3 through the gap 7 built up in the band, it may be advisable to provide for means ,fixed on thepin'23 so as to'rest with its free end against the portion 29 of the lever I5.

Moreover it is advantageous device with means which will automatically release thegrip of lthelever I5 as soon as the spindle 5 is turnedin the reverse direction'and the member I5 almost reaches. the member 9. To accomplish this, the lever is illustrated in the form of a lug 5|"whereas' the thrustmember 9 is provided with a co-operatingiprojection or extension 53 in such a manner that when the member I3 is shifted towardthe member by the reverse operation of thespindle 5, .thecprojection or extension 53 will,

to open up the ,gap 3| and thereby relieve the clamping action or grip of the lever I5 on the band I In order to prevent any substantial relative it is obvious that thewidth of this member does' not affect the functioning of the clamp. Therefore a band or member with an almost circular cross-section such asthat of a rope or cable, or even a chain' may-be used instead of the illustrated band. In] such case, the rollers u :andithe lever I'5 may be in the nature of ajgroove'd roll. The lever I5 may be replaced by a-g'rooved roll firmly clamped exerting a minimum pressure in the gap 3|. To'this end, a spring 49 may be I5 is provided with engage the lug 5I-, and thereby swing the lever l5 backwards so as may be desirable to u s e a lever I5 is not quite sufficient to produce the desired results, particularly if oil or grease should be spread over one of the contacting surfaces thereof. Also the gap 3| would have to be generallynarrower when using a steel band than in the case of a strong canvas band. Thus it is advisable to provide the curved portion 25 of lever I5 with a'lining 55 as is shown for instance in Fig. '7, said lining being such as to develop the desired degree of friction. The lining may beattached in'any suitable: manner as by suitably disposed nails or scre'ws 51. According to g the example shown in Fig. ,8, the lining may 3| until sufiicient tension is to' provide the invention. Generally,

alternatively consist of a tubular section 59 of friction developing material. This section 59 having appropriate diameter may simply be slippedover the lever I5 and needs no further fixation; It may be moved around: the lever I5 from time to time or may even travel automatically during the useof the clamp so that various. portions of the section 59 vwill be used at the:pressing-point in the gap 3|.

Thus the wear of this lining will be gradually distributed over its entire surface.

Fig. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of my in this:embodiment the arrangement is the. same as before with only the clamping member and the. clamping, means of different form. Therefore Fig. 9-shows only the clamping member 13 which also comprises a ing to it the central portion 31 with the thread bore 39 and the plain bore 4|, and the opening l9. Instead of the tapered slotZI, an open portion is'provided between brackets. A rockinglever 63 i said brackets 6| by means of a pin65; andextendsupwardly and outwardly and atits outer-end may be provided with a tapering slot 2 I for the same purpose of attachone end of the band 3 asin the first described example. In the opening I9 the gap for clamping the other endof the band" 3 is'determinedby a space left between the.outer wall 61 of theopemng I9 and a presser member illustratedin theform of a slidable pressingplate 59.

Two rods or pins 1 I are attached to'the plate 69 and extendlengthwise-of. the member- I3 "and through appropriate guiding bores in-thefcentral Helical springsv 13 are mounted on the rods 'II in the opening i9'betweenthe'press- 'ingplate 69 'and the opposite'wall of the-opening I9 so asto push the plate "69 always toward thewall 61; Theeouter endsof' the pins 1| may be connected with each other by a cross bar which rests "against the second, cam-like arm of lever 63.: Thecam portion 1110f: said lever'63 .will; press therplate 69 ag'ainstthe'band passing :through the gap 'left between it and the wall 51 in most instances as soon as the lever 63 is swung downwardly in the direction of arrow E. This movement will be automatically caused as a result of the pull developed by the attached band 3 when the spindle 5 is operated to force the co-operating clamping member l3, away from the associated thrust member, so that again any tension built up in the band by operating'the spindle will cause a firm clamping of the other end of the same band.

Also in this case an automatic release of the clamping grip maybe effected by a projection or extension 53 provided on member 9 acting on a co-operating lug or projection 5P arranged at an opposed partof the lever 63.

Having now described some embodiments of my invention, I wish to point out that theseembodiments and the corresponding illustrations 'are only intended to refer to examples since many alterations and variations thereof may be introduced by those skilled in this art without departing from the inventive idea.

What I claim is:

1. A clamp of the character described comprising a thrust member adapted to engage an element to be clamped, a loop formed of a flexible element operatively combined with said thrust member and arranged to encirclethe element to be clamped, clamping means in clamping association with said loop forming. element, means for adjusting said clamping means relatively to said thrust member to reduce the effective dimensions of said loop to thereby cause the latter to develope a clamping action on the element to be clamped, and co-operating means on said clamping means is shifted toward said thrust member to release the loop forming element from its clamping association with. said clamping means to thereby relieve the clamping action on said first named element.

2. A clamp of the character described comprising a flexible loop forming band for encircling an element to be clamped, a thrust member in guiding association with said band and adapted to engage said element, a clamping member having one end portion of said loop forming band connected therewith, a clamping device on said clamping member acting on another portion of said loop forming band to fix the latter in clamping position, operating means for adjusting said clamping member relatively to said thrust member to cause said clamping device to develop a clamping grip on said band and to reduce the dimensions of said loop whereby the latter developes a clamping force on said element, and means whereby said clamping device is automatically operated to release'its clamping grip on said loop forming band and to relieve the clamping force of the latter on said element.

3. A clamp of the character described comprising a flexible loop forming band for encircling an element to be clamped, a thrust member in guiding association with said band and adapted to engage said element, a clamping member having one end portion of said loop forming band connected therewith, a clamping device on said clamping member acting on another portion of said loop forming band to fix the latter in clamping position, operating means having an operative movement for adjusting said clamping member relatively to said thrust member to cause said clamping device to develop a clamping grip on said band and to reduce the dimensions of '35 said thrust member and said clamping means whereby the latter is automatically operated as ment to be clamped, guiding means on said thrust member, a clamping member, a screwthreaded spindle in screwthreaded engagement with said clamping member and in rotatable thrust bearing connection with said thrust member, a flexible band in guiding engagement with the guid-' ing means of said thrust member and forming a loop beyond the latter for encircling the element to be clamped, one end portion of said band'being connected with said clamping member, 'a

clamping device on said clamping member controlled by said band to develop a clamping grip on another portion of said band for fixing the latter in clamping position, said spindle being operative in one direction to adjust said clamping member away from said thrust member to thereby develop the clamping grip of said clamping device on said bandand to decrease the dimension of said loop whereby the latter developes a clamping force on said element, and being operative in a reverse direction to adjust said clamping member toward said thrust member,

and co-operating means on said thrust member and clamping device whereby the latter is automatically actuated to release its clamping grip on saidband as said members are adjusted toward each other and to relieve the clamping force of said band on said element.

5. A clamp of the character described comprising a thrust member adapted to engage an element to be clamped, guide rollers on said thrust member, a clamping member, a screwthreaded spindle in screwthreaded engagement with said clamping member and in rotatable thrust hearing connection with said thrust member, a

clamping device pivotally mounted on said clamping member, a flexible band in engagement with the rollers of said thrust member and forming a loop beyond the latter adapted to encircle said element to be clamped, one end of said band being connected with said clamping member and the'other end portion of saidband passing over said clamping device and between the latter and said clamping member, said spindle being operative in one direction to adjust said clamping member away from said thrust member to thereby cause said band to pivotally operate the clamping device whereby the latter developes a clamping grip on said other end portion of the band and the dimensions of the loop is reduced to thereby develope a clamping force on said element, and said spindle being operative in a reverse direction to adjust said clamping engagement with said guide rollers andforming,

proximity to a concam portion carried by said lever in operating engagement with said cross-bar whereby said rods and presser member are actuated whentension is developed by said said band on said lever to clamp another portion of said band against a 'wall of said clamping member to clamp the loopthereto.

8. In a clamp of the character described, a

V clamping member provided with a rectangular opening and having spaced brackets, a presser member in co-operative clamping relation with a loop beyond said thrust member adapted to encircle said element to be clamped, one end of said band being detachably connected with the i clamping member in the slot'thereof and the other end portion of said bandpassing over the curved surface of the rocking lever in engagement therewith and between said curved surface and said contiguous wall of said opening, and a screwthreaded spindle in screwthreaded engagement with the-clamping member and in rotatable thrust bearing connection with said thrust member, said spindle being operative in one direction to adjust said clamping member away from the element engaging thrust member to thereby cause the band to rock said rocking lever and clamp said band between said curved surface and said contiguous wall and to reduce the dimension of said loop andclamp said element, and said spindle, being operative in the reverse directionto adjust said clamping member toward said element engaging thrust member to relieve the clamping action of said loop on said element. 7

7. In a clamp of. the character described, a clamping member provided with a rectangular opening and'having spaced brackets, a presser member in co-operative clamping relation with a wall of said opening, parallel rods carrying said presser member and slidably mounted on said clamping member, springs effective on said presser member, a cross-bar connecting said rods and located between said brackets, a rocking lever pivoted between said brackets provided with a slot whereby one end of a loop forming'clamping band is connected with said lever, and a a wall ofsaid opening, parallel-rods carrying said presser member and slidably mounted on said clamping member, springs effective on said presser member, a cross-bar connecting said rods and located between said brackets, a rocking lever pivoted between said brackets provided with a slot whereby one end of a loop forming clampgr ing band is connected with said lever, a cam portion carried by said lever in operating engagement with said cross-bar whereby said rods and presser member areactuated when tension is developed by said band on said lever to clamp another portion of said band against a wall of saidiclamping member to clamp the loop thereto, -and a lugon said lever arranged to be engaged by a co-operating pressure developing member to rock said lever and thereby relieve the clamping action of said presser member.

9-. A clamp of. the kind described comprising a thrust member adapted to engage an element to be clamped, means associated with said thrust memberfor developing a clamping force whereby said element is clamped in place, clamping means in gripping association with said first means, means for adjusting said clamping means relatively to said thrust member to cause said first means to develope a clamping force on said element, and co-operating means on said thrust member and clamping means whereby the'latter is operated as said clamping means is shifted 7 toward said thrust member to release the first means from said clamping means and to relieve the clamping force of said first means on said element.

MAX E. WE'IZLER. 

